Yuma CASA Program
July 2013 Volume 4 Issue 7
In This Issue: Page Coordinator's 1 Comments Speak Out Swearing-In Ceremony 2 Highlight AZ CASA Staff 3 Training Opportunity - 4 Elizabeth Brown Thanks to Liz Clark - 4 Cut-A-Thon AZ State Statute - Termination of Parental 5 Happy 4th of July Volunteers Rights Amberly's Place 7 Summer is here and it is going to be a hot one. Make sure you are drinking Statistics plenty of fluids when out in the heat. Amberly's Place Report 8
June H.U.G. Photos 9 This month’s H.U.G. is going to a good one. Elizabeth Brown is currently an attorney working dependency cases here in Yuma. She also was the Assistant Judy Newman Goodbye 10 Attorney General before Erin Farrar became the AAG. Elizabeth will be doing a
June CASA Lunch Photos 11 presentation on the termination of parental rights. Elizabeth has been the AAG on several severance trials and we are lucky that she has agreed to come share
Movie Review 12 her knowledge and experience with us at our July H.U.G.
CASA Anniversaries 12 We had one volunteer attend the June CASA academy in Tucson. Right now it
Book Reviews 13 looks like we have about four volunteers that will be attending the July CASA academy in Phoenix. We are getting close to having 50 volunteers and counting. July Calendar 14 That means we are going to need some more veteran volunteers to step up and mentor some of our new volunteers. The state office has assured me they are Contact Info 14 very close to having the statewide mentor program ready to roll out sometime this summer.
The Case Review Team has decided to have our next CASA case reviews in the first week of August. If any volunteers have a case you would like reviewed please contact the CASA office so we can add your case to the August case review schedule. There is also a case review form you will need to complete to provide the review team with details of your case listing your concerns and issues you
would like the team to address at the review so the team can make AZ CASA Website recommendations.
Newsletter Committee Our first Best for Babies Court Team Meeting will be meeting on a monthly basis working towards establishing a program here in Yuma. It will take some time Editors - Susan/Cindi and a lot of work to get the program established. Each meeting we will be Design/Layout – Ruth/Stephen addressing a different topic or issue in Yuma the team all has mutual concerns
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about. I truly believe the B4B team besides establishing a B4B program will be able to accomplish a lot along the way by bringing everyone in Yuma together to fix some of the flaws in the foster care system by taking on one problem or issue at a time.
Another exciting project on the horizon is establishing a mentor program for the teenagers that are getting close to aging out of the system. We all have heard the statistics of what happens to the foster children that age out of the system so I do not need to mention them. I have spoken with both judges and a few of the CASA volunteers that have a special place in their heart for the teens and they are eager to get a program started. I will be reaching out to the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma regarding getting some of the Marines involved as mentors in the program. I have been contacted several times by Marine officers wanting to do something to make a difference in a foster child’s life. Stay tuned for more info to come or come see me.
A few volunteers have mentioned that they would like a digital format to reach out to other volunteers to ask questions, get advice and feedback, vent, and just chat about the day to day stuff related to CASA. We have a CASA of Yuma County Facebook account and someone suggested a chat room using our Facebook page. After speaking with our computer tech person, Rand Rosenbaum, he suggested that we have a discussion board that will be a separate link that you can log onto with a username & password and it would be more secure. Rand is working on it and as soon as he is finished we will send out an e-mail with directions. You will be able to link to
the discussion board through our Facebook page.
It seems I have not seen or spoken to quite a few of you lately. Please remember that I am always here if you need to speak with me. Just call me or Veronica if you need an appointment or you can always call me after work hours on my cell at 928-247-4300.
Keep up the good fight. The children need us now more than ever. Yuma County is blessed to have the best CASA volunteers in the world.
--Dennis
Swearing-In Ceremony of New CASAs June 21, 2013
Congratulations to our new CASAs who
were sworn in today.
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Welcome
To Highlight
The A CASA
CASA
Family Darrell Fischer
I started out by working for the Boeing company for 17 years. I was hired in Research and Development, however, the last 8 were spent as an Assembly and Checkout Technician on Minute Man Missiles. After that I owned a restaurant for 5 years. Finally I retired from Sierra Pacific Power Company in Reno NV as Scrubber Foreman in a coal fired power plant. After retirement I became involved in real estate sales for 9 years. During this time I started volunteering. First as a volunteer Deputy Sheriff for 5 years. When I gave that up, I became involved in volunteering through the County Attorney’s Office and their Community Justice Board Program. I sat on two boards in that program for about 5 years now. I recently decided to give up one board and became involved with CASA. Thus far CASA seems to be the most rewarding to me.
Sandy Magdaleno
I was born in Fort Campbell, KY, but lived in Yuma the majority of my life and graduated from Kofa High School. I have been married to Jarrett for 42 years and have two children: Jessica and Jarrett Jr. I worked as a Medical Office Manager for over 26 years; and as an office manager for my church where I became involved in Children's Ministry. I left Yuma to care for a newborn grandchild and then my ailing in-laws, returning to Yuma a year later. I am now a very proud grandmother of 5 beautiful grandchildren. I was introduced to the CASA program at my church by a special person; without hesitation I volunteered. I feel this is a wonderful and rewarding way to serve Christ and our community.
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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES--
Increase your knowledge
th Elizabeth Brown Attend the H.U.G. meeting on Thursday, July 11 , at 11:30, Detention Training Room. Bring your lunch. The speaker will be Elizabeth Brown Termination of Parental Rights
Elizabeth M. Brown is a former Arizona Assistant Attorney General in private practice with cases ranging from civil, criminal and appellate work to representing foster parents adopting children in CPS care. She has extensive international professional experience working with international diplomatic organizations and supporting major humanitarian efforts around the world. She is a native of upstate New York and has lived in Arizona since the late 1990s. She has three children, speaks Russian, plays the piano, and is a Master
Gardener.
Thanks to Liz Clark and her stylists of Hairography for hosting a Cut-A-Thon on June 3rd and donating all profits to the CASA Board. Their support of the CASA Program is appreciated.
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ARIZONA STATUTE SUMMARY Termination of Parental Rights
At the bottom of the following summary you will find a link that will take you to the Arizona state code website. The citations in the summary will aid in your search for the full text of the relevant provisions on the state code website.
Involuntary--During permanency proceedings, if the court determines the child's best interests lie in the termination of parental rights, it shall:
• order a motion to terminate these rights be filed within 10 days of the permanency hearing;
• set an initial hearing date on the motion within 90 days of the permanency hearing. A trial date shall be set at the permanency hearing if the termination is contested. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-862(D).
Notice Rights--The termination motion must be served at least 10 days before the hearing on all parties specified by the rules of civil procedure, including any persons who have filed adoption petitions or have physical custody pursuant to a foster-adoptive placement. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-863(A).
Grounds--Termination of parental rights may be based on any of the following factors, in consideration with the child's best interests:
• the parent has abandoned the child;
• the parent has neglected or willfully abused a child, including serious physical or emotional injury or situations where the parent knew or reasonably should have known a child was being abused or neglected;
• the parent could not satisfy his/her responsibilities because of mental illness or deficiency or a history of chronic drug or alcohol abuse and there are reasonable grounds to believe this behavior will continue;
• the parent is incarcerated due to a felony conviction and the child will be deprived of a normal home for a period of years;
• the potential father failed to file a paternity action as required by statute;
• the putative father failed to file a notice of claim of paternity pursuant to Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-106.01;
• the parents have relinquished their parental rights to an agency or have consented to the adoption;
• the child is in out-of-home placement under the supervision of the juvenile court, the department or a child welfare agency, which has made diligent but unsuccessful attempts at reunification, and either:
• the out-of-home placement has been total period of nine months or longer and the parent has substantially neglected or willfully refused to remedy the circumstances that caused the placement; or
• the out-of-home placement has been for a total period of fifteen months or longer, the parent has been unable to remedy the circumstances that caused the placement, and there is a substantial likelihood he/she will not be capable of exercising proper and effective parental care and control in the near future;
• the parent's identity is unknown and continues to remain unknown after 3 months of diligent attempts to identify him/her;
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• the parent had his/her parental rights to another child terminated within the preceding two years and is currently unable to discharge parental responsibilities due to the same cause;
• all of the following are true:
• the child in out-of-home placement pursuant to court order;
• the agency responsible for the child's care made diligent efforts to provide reunification services;
• the child, pursuant to court order, was returned to the legal custody of the parent from whom he/she was removed;
• within 18 months after the child was returned, the child was removed from that parent’s custody and is being cared for in out-of-home placement and the parent is currently unable to discharge his/her responsibilities. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §8-533(B).
Process--The termination petition must include:
• the petitioner's name and place of residence;
• the child's name, sex, date and place of birth and residence;
• the basis for the court’s jurisdiction;
• the petitioner’s relationship to the child, or the fact no relationship exists;
• the parents' names, addresses and dates of birth, if known;
• the names and addresses of the person with legal custody or guardianship of the child or acting in loco parentis to the child or the organization or authorized agency with legal custody or providing care for the child;
• the grounds on which termination is sought;
• the names and addresses of the persons or authorized agency to whom or to which legal custody or guardianship of the child might be transferred; and
• a notarized statement granting or withholding consent for the child to review subsequent adoption records when he/she is age 21 or older. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-534(A)-(B)
If a parent does not appear at the hearing, the court can determines the parent, if served as required, by failing to appear has waived his/her legal rights. The failure to appear is also deemed an admission of the allegations in the termination petition. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-863(C).
Dispositions--A court's termination order must be in writing and recite the findings upon which it is based, including findings pertaining to the child’s placement and the court’s jurisdiction. The order is final and binding on all persons from the date of entry. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-538(A)
Upon the termination of parental rights, the court shall do one of the either appoint an individual as guardian of the child’s person or appoint such an individual and vest legal custody in another individual or an authorized agency. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-538(B). If placement with a grandparent or other relative (including a person with a significant relationship with the child) is not in the child’s best interest, the court will make specific written findings in support of its decision. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-538(C). The court order must also address responsibility for the child’s support. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-538(D).
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The one parent’s rights may be terminated without affecting the relationship between the child and the other parent. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-538(D). If parental rights are not terminated, the court must dismiss the petition or, if in the child’s best interests, order substitution or supplementation of parental care and supervision. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 8-538(E). www.azleg.state.az.us/ArizonaRevisedStatutes.asp
Amberly’s Place Statistics AMBERLY’S PLACE Jan-13 Feb-13 Mar-13 Apr-13 May-13 Total Client Demographic Information All Victims ---Was victim served In Person 199 170 184 167 188 908 By Phone 9 5 5 4 4 27 Total 208 175 189 171 192 935 *No. of Victims Served In Person Only* Referring Agency: Yuma Police Department 95 98 97 85 81 456 Yuma County S.O. 33 33 39 34 35 174 Somerton Police Department 5 4 1 6 16 San Luis Police Department 51 18 28 33 26 156 Wellton Police Department 3 13 3 19 Quechan Police Department Cocopah Police Department 2 1 3 Imperial County S.O. 6 3 8 17 Child Protective Service FBI/CID/Military/NCIS 5 5 AWC Outside Agency 0 Call In's or Unreported 24 17 16 4 28 89 Totals 208 175 189 171 192 935 Type of Crime All Victims Child Abuse, Physical 20 12 9 19 22 82 Child Abuse, Sexual 42 57 50 35 28 212 Domestic Violence 121 80 107 94 109 511 Adult Sexual Assault 15 18 23 23 10 89 Adults Molested as Children Assault/Threats 4 5 6 Elder Abuse 0 Stalking 2 1 14 17 Kidnapping 4 Type of Crime Unknown Other (Homicide/Attempted) 2 3 5 Totals 208 175 189 171 192 935 Total # of Victims/Cases # of Victims 208 175 189 171 192 935 # of Cases 76 72 73 64 74 359 Jane Doe Cases 1 0 1 0 0 2 # of Forensic Exams 4 5 10 5 2 26
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Amberly’s Place Report By Diane Umphress
After comparing the last 5 months of 2013 to the same of 5 month period of 2012 this is what we have discovered.
An increase in calls for services for all victims: 14% increase. An increase in reported physical abuse of children: 46% increase. An increase in reported sexual abuse of children: 12% increase. An increase in reported domestic violence: 3% increase. An increase in reported sexual assault: 33% increase.
In the summer months our reports regarding child crimes normally go down as the children are not in school and neighbors are not as prone to report suspected abuse as school teachers. For the safety of our children we really need people to report any and all suspected child abuse. Please encourage those you know to be a Voice... report suspected abuse.
We are currently holding our Week In Paradise Fundraiser, which is our one big event for the year. We are desperately in need of selling 5550 tickets. The grand prize this year is a trip for two to Hawaii with hotel and airfare as well as spending money…for $10 what a deal. There are NINE other awesome prizes you could also win, from a trip to Disneyland or Vegas to a season pass to Waylon’s Water World, a Girls/Guys night out, Sea World & Wild Animal park, Adventure Date, Take Me Out to The Ball Game to watch the Diamond Backs and Orioles play or enjoy eleven of Yuma’s own fine restaurants for dinner or lunch for two.. What a deal to help a victim and win a great vacation. Remember this year we have a donor who is willing to match whatever we make in ticket sales with a cash donation, this could be HUGE for Amberly’s Place. You can purchase tickets at the Thrift Shoppe at 812 Ave A from 9:00 to 5:00 Tuesday thru Friday and from 9:00 to 1:00 on Saturdays or on line at amberlysplace.com or at any Foothills Bank location.
I recently went to a local Jr. High school for a presentation. After the presentation a young man came up and asked me if I was familiar with his mother’s story as they had come to Amberly’s Place. He told me his mother’s name and it had been one of the more dangerous domestic violence cases we had come through here years ago. The young man informed me that they are safe and he no longer lives in fear and can even sleep without the light on at night now. This might sound like small things to some people--this type of freedom is HUGE for this family. This would not be possible without our law enforcement partners who respond and our prosecutors who put the bad guy away and then the great partner agencies which work with us to make sure their basic needs are met.
Together we are making a difference
Amberly’s Place Tour th July 19 , 8:30 a.m. Call CASA Office to reserve a space
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A big “thank you” to this
month’s H.U.G presenters--
Presiding Judge Kathryn Stocking-Tate and Judge Mark Reeves. They gave us insight into how they make decisions based on the law. They fielded CASA questions and provided tips on how to better present our portion of identifying the
children’s needs and required
actions, remembering that
every person on the Team has a different part of the process Judge John Nelson which may influence their individual focus. The Judge reviews all input and must decide what’s in the best interest of the child. The explanation on why most cases
begin with only a family
unification plan was enlightening. Our Judges have
high workloads and we appreciate they made time to spend with us.
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Goodbye & Best Wishes to Judy Newman
Thanks Judy for dedicating over 20 years to the CASA program. You have made a difference in so many children’s lives through your work as a CASA volunteer and as a teacher for many years. We are really going to miss you and your commitment to the CASA children. I know you mentioned you want to continue your work as a CASA in Texas which does not surprise me at all. You truly have a big heart and always want to devote your time to abused & neglected children no matter where you are. Texas will be lucky to have you as a CASA. Good luck and stay in touch. --Dennis
Judy has been a CASA for many years. She has done such a great job on a previous case that I was involved in. She made all the difference with the information she was able to obtain and truly effected the case outcome. I give her all my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for her time as a CASA and as someone that I know as a friend. She will be missed. I wish her the best of luck on her move to Texas. -- Susan Steenhard
Thank you Judy for all your years as a child advocate here in Yuma County. I know you go to Texas with a heavy, heart but there are children there who need you! When I became a CASA you had been a casa for 6 years and I looked up to you. You and a few others helped me become the CASA I am today. I thank you for that. Remember there are many chapters in our lives and you are turning the page and moving on to another. The previous chapters in our lives are not always what we wanted them to be, but because of them, we are who we are today. And you are a wonderful person and you will do well in Texas. Remember you are not alone! Love you friend! --Kerrie Underhill
Thank You Received From: Sativa Castellucci, CASA Coordinator/Project Assistant, La Paz Probation Dept.
I wanted to have a BIG Shout Out!! To JUDY Newman. Thank you so much for all your hard work on this case. Not only did you come back on-board the CASA train for us, but you went above and beyond for these girls involving yourself in their everyday lives and getting down and dirty with their education which you are so passionate about and I thank you for that and it truly showed. CaSa of La Paz County cannot thank you enough from the bottom of our hearts for all the team work you did with Barbara and we welcome you back to our family anytime. Smiles and many hugs your way and for making a difference in our community.
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Marilyn & Neil Nina
Dennis Gladys
Kerrie Vicki
Gladys & Adam Nina & Sandy
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.
Children and Their Families: A Journey through
the Texas Welfare System This three-part video was introduced last month with the showing of the first part, “Harris-Price Case Study,” which is used at the CASA Advocacy Academy to give new CASAs an idea of what it will be like to actually work a case. The difference between the one studied at the academy and this video is that the case is actually acted out in a video with everyone involved in dependency cases playing their roles on screen. You get a very different perspective by watching CPS workers, CASA volunteers, biological and foster parents, children, teachers, GALs, AG, and the judges interacting in a typical dependency case. This first case was shown in June. It took you on a journey through the CPS system with siblings Ben (14), Robert (9), and Baby Rose (9 months) as we shared their experiences during 12 months of their Temporary Managing Conservatorship case The second and third parts will be shown on July 26th. The second part is the “Harris Case,” when Ben finds himself back in care at the age of 16 dealing with juvenile court, Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC) and the grief and loss of his family. Ben’s story takes him from a residential treatment center to life in foster care and finally, transitioning from care. The third case is about Camila. Camila’s story begins with a report of suspected sexual abuse. With her CASA volunteer’s assistance and collaboration with another program, she experiences an early and successful family reunification within eight months. The three parts take you from the beginning of a dependency case right up until the end of the case. The video includes hearings, CFTs, courtroom hallway interactions, visits, parent getting arrested, CASA interacting with teachers, CPS, GAL, and so on.
Bring your lunch --- Popcorn provided
When: 11:30 a.m., Friday, July 26th Where: Detention Training Room
Jarrod Holiman 6 Yrs. CASA Anniversaries: Christopher Johnson 2 Yrs. Jessica Rico 1 Yr. Kim Sutton 1 Yr.
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TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS AND
ADOPTION IN FOSTER CARE BY MINKYOUNG SONG
DESCRIPTION
Termination of parental rights (TPR) is not only a matter of the family any more. Now, we face termination of parental rights as one of social institution on what should be guided for child rearing practice and why we should make a decision to intervene the State into the family. This study seeks to provide empirical evidence that
examine why and to what extent children who have been exposed
to child maltreatment and placed in foster care experience TPR and
permanency outcome of adoption. The discussion of this study includes the deliberate discussion on the parent-child relationship and the primary principles of the State intervention into the family in cases of child abuse and neglect with a review on the legal standards/ grounds for the involuntary TPR for foster children according to the changes of child welfare policy goals in the American society. Since the ASFA of 1997 was enacted, in particular, it has been widely accepted that TPR proceedings for foster children who cannot be reunified with their natural parents should be pursued. Thus, it can be argued that the involuntary TPR becomes an alternative to family preservation/reunification and an essential mechanism to achieve the permanency outcome for children in foster care. This book is addressed to social workers and policy makers in the child welfare field as well as practitioners in family law. It is also directed towards researchers in social practice and policy, child welfare and family services.
FAMILIES CHANGE: A BOOK FOR CHILDREN EXPERIENCING TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS
(KIDS ARE IMPORTANT SERIES) [PAPERBACK]
DescriptionAll families change over time. Sometimes a baby is born, or a grown-up gets married. And sometimes a child gets a new foster parent or a new adopted mom or dad. Children need to know that when this happens, it’s not their fault. They need to understand that they can remember and value their birth family and love their new family, too. Straightforward words and full-color illustrations offer hope and support for children facing or experiencing change. Includes resources and information for birth parents, foster parents, social workers, counselors, and teachers.
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July 2013
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 CONTACT Holiday LOGS DUE Office Closed
7 8 Case 9 YCCI 10 11 12 13 Review 10:30 FCRB FCRB CASA Academy – Phoenix Team Newsletter H.U.G. Christine Meeting Committee 11:30 DTR Reeves 10:00 1:00 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 CASA Amberly’s Lunch 11:30 Place Tour Chili’s Yuma 8:30 a.m. Palms 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Movie 11:30 DTR
28 29 30 31 Best for Aug 1 Aug 2 Aug 3 Babies CONTACT Court Team LOGS DUE Meeting 1:00 DTR
Tel: 928.314.1830 Casa Program Contact Info Fax: 928.314.1995 Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center E-mail: 2440 W. 28th Street [email protected] Yuma, AZ 85364 We’re on the Web! [email protected] See us at: http:// www.CASAofYumaCounty.org
Make a difference in a child’s life—Become a CASA Volunteer
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